One Of The Guys
"Is there something wrong with the guest house?" Juliet asks, giving her partner a curious look.
She had been enjoying a book in her study, when Zeus and Apollo had started growling at something outside. Knowing that the dogs, wouldn't react without reason she put the book down to investigate the source of the disturbance only to find Magnum setting up camp on the lawn between the guest and the main house.
"Higgy, perfect timing. Would you hold on to that?" He hands her the end of the rope he's using to tie down the tent (or at least that's what he's attempting to do).
"Is that Robin's camping gear? You can't just…"
"I'm borrowing it! And I figured I'd do a little practice run before my camping trip with the guys next week."
"Right, your guys trip," she comments, giving him a disapproving look.
"Oh come on, I deserve a vacation."
"Your life is a vacation, and you're doing it all wrong."
"Sounds like I'm doing it right," he jokes, but she's not having it.
"I mean the tent. This…" she shoves the rope back into his hands and starts adjusting the rainfly, "needs to be taut or…"
"I was just about to fix it! And since when are you the expert on camping?" He asks, raising an eyebrow as he watches her secure the different pieces.
"My dad took me almost every summer," she explains.
"I didn't know," he replies before he starts working on the other side of the tent. Four years of living together and she's still full of surprises.
"Knowing that would require asking," she says under her breath, just loud enough for him to hear and that's when it dawns on him…
"Wait a minute, is this why you're so cranky? You're upset that I didn't invite you…"
She just shrugs.
"Why didn't you say anything?"
"I am not going to beg to be included, if you don't want me around."
"I didn't ask because I didn't think you'd be into it. You know, that whole rolling your eyes every time the topic came up thing…"
"Oh…" her eyes dart to the ground. "Perhaps, I am somewhat to blame," she admits with a touch of embarrassment and suddenly it's him who feels bad. Of course it hadn't been his intention to exclude her, but he hadn't exactly invited her either…
"I guess calling it our guys trip didn't help matters, but for future reference you're always welcome."
"So you're saying I should consider myself one of the guys?" Her hand brushes against his as they both reach for the same stake.
"I got it," he meets her eyes, trying to figure out what she wants to hear.
"Uh, why don't you join me tonight, let me make it up to you?" He answers her question in a less direct manner.
"You mean for your little practice run? Magnum we're not five we can't sleep in the garden."
"Well we have to make sure the tent is good for two people…" he reasons but she's still pondering. "And you know, find out if you're really ok with roughing it."
"Roughing it?" She raises an eyebrow. "Is that why you dragged that cashmere throw out here?"
"Just between us, Robin kinda skimped on the sleeping bags."
"But he did invest in the cooking equipment, do you know how to use all of this?" She asks, eyeing the still packaged gear.
"Did I not mention, that my invitation includes dinner?"
She bites her lip, a sign that she's ringing with herself.
"Ok, fine. To figure out if this…" she gestures at the set up in front of them "…works."
"That is the objective," he ads with a smile.
xoxo
He spends the rest of the afternoon building their campsite, even going as far as borrowing some torches from the deck (to compensate for the lack of a camp fire) and preparing a simple, yet inviting meal that doesn't fail to impress her.
"I have to hand it to you, I half expected you to heat up some hot dogs and set the lawn on fire in the process," she teases.
"I'm gonna let that slide if you take care of dessert."
"I have something better," she reaches for her bag and pulls out a flask.
"I see you brought fun Higgins," he says, a mischievous gleam in his eyes.
"Well you deserve it," she unscrews the lid and hands him the drink, letting him have the first taste.
"To our first camping trip," he takes a sip and gives it back to her.
"And roughing it," she laughs, before drinking herself.
They fall into a comfortable silence, passing the flask back and forth between them as they admire the night sky – stealing the occasional glance when they think the other's not looking.
"You picked a lovely night for this," she eventually speaks.
"Well I did check the weather, but I still appreciate your help with that rainfly," he smirks.
"I just like to do things the right way," she rationalizes.
He nods. "Which is why I have a confession to make…"
"That sounds serious," she sits up a little straighter, bracing herself for whatever is to come.
"When I said that I didn't ask you because I thought it wasn't your thing, I actually…" he hesitates. Maybe he shouldn't say anything, isn't this exactly what he wanted to avoid in the first place?
"What is it?"
He sighs. „I was relieved when I thought you had no interest in joining us…"
"Relieved?"
"Don't get me wrong, I didn't want to exclude you and I meant what I said," he turns towards her. "You are always welcome…"
"But?"
"You shouldn't consider yourself one of the guys, because I definitely don't and I guess I just wanted to avoid a potentially awkward situation."
"So tonight really is a practice run, you're testing the waters…"
He responds with a sheepish smile. "If something happens here we're not stuck sharing a tent for the rest of the weekend. Unless you want to, of course."
"That's actually almost considerate."
"That's me, almost considerate," he laughs, trying to diffuse the situation but his confession lingers between them.
She throws him a look and gets up, making him think that he was a little too honest – until she reaches for his hand, that is. And then everything happens at once. She pulls him up to her and his hands naturally find their way around her waist while her own travel over his shoulders.
Tilting her head ever so slightly, she aligns her mouth with his and whispers against it. "Is this what you had in mind?"
"I was thinking more along of the lines of you coming on to me in your sleep, but if you want to get a head start…"
She leans back a little. "You sure you can catch up?"
He's never been one to turn down a challenge.
xoxo
Morning comes much too soon and the thin nylon walls of the tent do little to keep the protruding sunlight at bay.
"What time is it?" Juliet groans, not willing to open her eyes just yet. She's comfortably resting on his bare chest, listening to his heartbeat while he has his arms loosely draped around her.
"Good morning Thomas, how did you sleep? Last night was amazing…" he teases.
"I'm sorry, good morning," she lifts her head to meet is gaze.
"That's better," he ruffles her hair before meeting her in a kiss, smiling from ear to ear.
"So, what's the verdict?" he asks, and she needs a moment to catch on (it really is early).
"Hmm…" she looks around. "The tent is a little snug, but I think we can make it work."
"I was hoping you'd say that."
"You know we can't do this on your guys trip though, right?" she laughs.
"Of course not," he agrees. "I mean, unless we're really quiet…"
She's about to protest, when he flips them around so that he's on top of her.
"Coffee first," she mumbles against his lips.
„Fine." he gives in, stealing one more kiss before he rolls off of her, thinking that he could definitely get used to their version of 'roughing it'.
I know, I know... I skipped the fun part, but it felt right. Gotta leave some things to the imagination.
Comments are very welcome!
Love,
Laura
